A Warning from the Old Ways: The False Face of the Fire-Starter

My name is not known to the halls of power, nor do I seek the fleeting shine of the digital stage. I am a Hedge Druid, one who has walked the path of the Irish hearth for over forty years, and I address you now not as a mere man, but as a sworn protector of the Sacred Grove—a guardian of the ancient compact between the people, the land, and the spirits.

I have seen the seasons turn sixty times, and through all those cycles, I have learned to read the omens: the shifting of the wind, the health of the oak, and the true motives behind the eyes of humankind. Today, the smoke I smell is not from a cleansing fire, but from a conflagration kindled by deceit.

The Grift and the Poison

The spiritual life, be it Norse, Christian, or Druidic, is not a costume to be worn or a commodity to be sold. It is a vow. We are now confronted by a phenomenon I name the False-Face Grift, exemplified by those who leap from trend to trend, using sacred symbols as mere trinkets to line their pockets.

The one named Peyton Parrish is a glaring example of this profane commerce. He wore the likeness of the Viking faith, sang of Valhalla and Ragnarok, and grew wealthy by capitalizing on a culture that was never his heart. Now, seeing the winds shift, he has cast aside the Mjölnir for the flag of Christian Nationalism and the rhetoric of hate. He has joined the chorus of fear pushed by works like The Pagan Threat book, choosing to spread dangerous misinformation that endangers Heathens, Pagans, and all who walk a non-traditional spiritual path.

He speaks of darkness and sacrifice, of blood and death, yet the only sacrifice he truly makes is that of his own integrity. This is not the work of faith; it is the cynical work of the Grifter, whose devotion extends only to the count in their coffer. To refuse an apology after exploiting a sacred community is not strength; it is the ultimate betrayal.

The Two Fires Threatening Democracy

I stand as a Social Justice Warrior from the Old Ways, and I see the two great storms gathering on our horizon, both equally threatening to the health of our sacred Democracy.

 • Theocratic Fire (The Far Right): This is the blaze of the MAGA movement and Christian Nationalism. It is a movement that seeks to force one set of beliefs upon all, choking out the vibrant diversity of the land. Its goal is a Theocracy, where the right to follow your own path is replaced by the decree of a zealous few. This is a clear and present threat to the very liberty that allows a Druid, a Heathen, or any free soul to breathe.

 • Anarchist Fire (The Far Left): On the other side, we have those who have turned the cry of Antifa (Anarchist have hijacked the term) into a howl of destruction. These anarchist youths do not seek justice; they seek chaos. They desire the burning of the whole house so they may exploit the confusion to build their own fractured vision. They care nothing for the careful, slow work of Democracy—they want immediate collapse.

My friends, one path leads to a cage built of rigid dogma; the other leads to a wilderness without law. Both destroy the vital structure of a free society.

Where I Must Stand

At 61, I have never felt the weight of the Druid's duty to judge the actions of men and women more keenly. Our tradition teaches us to seek Truth, promote Justice, and maintain Harmony. These two extremist fronts, and the greedy opportunists like Parrish who fuel them, violate all three.

As a Druid of the Irish Hearth, I will not stand aside while the voices of hatred drown out the songs of the earth and the cries of the oppressed. I call upon all those who cherish liberty, regardless of your faith—Christian, Pagan, or none at all—to recognize that the Grift of Hate is an evil that must be confronted.

We must defend the middle ground, the place of reason, dialogue, and respect, against those who would tear down our society for a quick profit or an ideological revolution.

Do you hear the stones crying out against the threat of Theocracy? What sacred path calls you to action in this essential fight to save our Democracy?